Stoppage of Morocco-EU fishery accord, beneficial to stocks

Maritime fisheries professionals in the Atlantic southern city of Agadir hailed as beneficial the incidence of the stoppage of the Morocco-European Union fisheries accord on fish stocks.

The professionals said, since the latest fishery agreement with the EU expired in November 1999, fish stocks have been improving and the sector professionals have benefited from direct sales on the European and Japanese markets.

Some species such as blue fin tuna, for years a monopoly of Spanish fishermen, are now within Moroccan fishermen's reach, the statement said.

They also hailed the biological rest periods decreed on some species as having a positive impact on fish stocks replenishment and fish reproduction.

Morocco and the European Union have resumed negotiations last September on the signing of a new fisheries agreement. Several rounds of talks failed to reach an agreement so far. Negotiations are mainly stumbling over the duration of the new accord, the number of fishing licenses, the amount of the EU financial compensation to Morocco.

The national association of high sea fish officers said an agreement with the European Union must be approved by the sector professionals and employees who must participate in the accord negotiations and conclusion through their associations and trade unions.

The Agadir chamber of Atlantic maritime fisheries said the sector professionals are opposed to the conclusion of a new fisheries accord with the EU in order to shield national sea resources from over-exploitation. The chamber requested "a genuine representation" of fish professionals in the negotiations.

Moroccan fisheries professionals argue that the non-renewal of the accord with the European Union would undoubtedly have a positive incidence on the fisheries sector, as the Moroccan fleet catches would jump to 1.5 million tons in 2003, while they do not exceed 700,000 tons at present. Fish consumption in Morocco stands at only 7 KG per person per year while it exceeds 60 kg per person in Spain and Portugal.

The sector employs nearly 400,000 workers.

Under the previous accord, some 600 trawlers, mostly Spanish used to operate in Moroccan grounds.